Optimising inpatient medication systems - a qualitative study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Optimising inpatient medication systems to support staff, patients and carers in safe administration
IRAS ID
256107
Contact name
Bryony Dean Franklin
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 10 months, 18 days
Research summary
Medication is the most commonly used medical intervention and nearly every patient admitted to hospital will receive medication during their stay. Unfortunately medication errors are key cause of patient morbidity and mortality, as well as an economic burden for healthcare institutions. Medication errors can occur across the spectrum of medication prescribing, storing, dispensing, preparing and administering. Errors are common at the administration stage and thus reducing these errors is of great importance.
In order to reduce errors, there is a need to further explore and understand the perceived needs of stakeholders to improve efficiency and safety of medication administration, including both nurses’ drug administration, and inpatient self-administration by patients (and possibly carers).
The main objective of this research study is to explore the challenges associated with current medication storage and administration systems in a large teaching hospital trust and identify the needs for improvement as perceived by relevant stakeholders.
This qualitative project will comprise observations of the medication administration process and interviews with relevant stakeholders, including healthcare professionals and patients.
Interviews and observations will be conducted across the three main hospital sites within Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust: Charing Cross Hospital, Hammersmith Hospital, and St Marys Hospital.
This research is funded by the National Institute for Health Research.
REC name
London - Brent Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/LO/0863
Date of REC Opinion
28 May 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion